Shoe and shoe part



March 9, 1937.

SHOE AND SHOE PART Filed Nov. 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l in] Magma W%,

0. H. L. THELEN I 2,072,929

SHOE AND SHOE PART Filed Nov. 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fizz/672 727 0% Zak $2 o. H.- THELEN 2,072,929.

Patented Mar. 9, 1937 OFFICE SHOE AND SHOE PART Mass.

Application November 24, 1933, Serial No. 699,524

8 Claims.

In the manufacture of shoes of certain types the upper materials are lasted and the margins secured to the lower face of the innersole, as by cement in shoes of the compo or cement type, or

by staples, tacks, or stitches. It is common practice, however, to employ in various types of shoes a metal strip curved to the longitudinal curvature of the adjacent shoe parts and often provided with a central concavo-convcx stifiening rib to reinforce the shank portion of the shoe, and it is usually desired that this stii fener be secured to the innersole. The metal stirfener, however, does not present a smooth surface to the lasted in margins of the upper materials, nor does it present a surface to which these margins can be readily secured. In the case of cemented shoes, for example, cement will not strongly adhere to such a metal surface. When the stiffener is provided with a central stiffening rib, a still further unevenness in the surface over which the upper margins are laid is presented. These difficulties are further enhanced when the shank of the shoe is narrow, since in such a case the metallic stiffener occupies a very substantial portion of this width and there is too little room on either side of it for proper securing of the upper materials.

In accordance with this invention, therefore, the outer or lower face of the metal stiffener is overlaid with a piece of sheet material, such as 3 leather or fiberboard preferably extending the full width of the innersole and presenting a relatively smooth, unobstructed surface over which the upper margins may be laid, and likewise a surface to which cement will adhere and which 5 can receive staples, tacks, stitches, or other uppersecuring means. In the case of narrow shank shoes this permits the upper margins to be extended well over the side edges of the metal stiffener, since these margins do not contact with the 40 stiffener. In order to facilitate the positioning and attachment of the metal stiffener and its overlying layer, it is preferable to apply the stiffener in longitudinally fiat condition to the overlying layer, also in flat condition, and then mold 45 them together to the desired longitudinal curvature embedding the stiffener into the overlying layer. This layer is preferably shaped to substantially the contour of the innersole from near the break line of the shoe to the heel end, being 50 similar in shape to the well known shank piece commonly employed in turn shoes but which is applied on the inside of the shoe.

In order to secure the metal stiffener to the overlying layer, the stiffener is preferably pro- 55 vided with integral prongs which are pressed into the layer and clinched therein during the molding operation. This causes the two parts to be intimately united together so that there is no relative motion therebetween in service, thus eliminating squeaks, and the two as a unit may then be secured to the innersole by suitable fastening such as staples passed through the innersole and overlying layer outwardly of the mar gins of the metal stiffener, which is enclosed between them, or the unit may be cemented to the innersole, or both staples and cement may be employed. The innersole thus reinforced with the two-part stiffening unit may then be secured to the last preparatory to the assembling and. lasting operations.

This application is a continuation in part of my application Serial Number 650,447, filed J anuary 6, 1933, for Shoe and shoe part and method of making the same.

For a. more complete understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a perspective of a shoe showing the upper lasted in over an innersole and stiffening unit.

stiffener applied to the overlying covering layer or piece preparatory to both being molded to longitudinal curvature and secured together.

Figures 3 and 4 are sections on about the line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing successive steps in the molding operation.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of an innersole to which has been secured the two-piece stiffening unit.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the lasted shoe showing the upper secured by staples and tacks.

Figure '7 is a plan view of the unit comprising the stiffener and layer molded together.

Figures 8 and 9 are detail sections on the correspondingly numbered section lines on Figures 6 and 7, respectively.

Referring to the drawings, in Figure 2 is shown a, piece of leather or fiberboard I having substantially the contour of the shank and heel portions of an innersole. On this piece or layer is superposed a longitudinally straight metallic shank stiffener 2, which is preferably provided adjacent to its ends with integral attaching prongs 3, and which preferably tapers in width and is symmetrical laterally about a longitudinal axis. As shown also this metallic stiffener is provided with a central stifiening rib l, which preferably tapers in depth, the deeper end of the rib being adjacent to the wider end Figure 2 is a perspective showing the metal.

of the stiffener. This shank stiffener is placed on the layer I in the position in which it will lie when incorporated in a shoe, and preferably with the convex face of the rib facing the layer I, the layer I overlying the heel and shank portions thereof, and the two parts thus placed together are then molded simultaneously to the longitudinal curvature of the corresponding portions of the shoe.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, this molding may be done by the use of cooperating molding forms 5 and 6, which are brought together as shown in Figure 4, this action not only molding the parts to a proper longitudinal curvature, but also tightly securing them together by means of the prongs 3 of the stiffener, which are clinched in the material of the layer I. This layer I may have substantially the configuration commonly employed for the shank piece used in connection with a turn shoe, which, however, is applied to the shoe on the inside rather than on the outside as is done in the present invention. The metal stiffener is preferably so embedded into the layer 5 by the molding operation as to bring the outer faces of its exposed surface portions into substantially lateral alinement with the adjacent face of the layer i about its margin, as shown best in Figures 8 and. 9, so that the parts molded together may lie laterally fiat against the heel and shank portion of an innersole 'I to which they may be secured, as shown in Figure 8, the metallic stiffener being positioned between the lower face of the innersole and the layer i. This embedment of the stiffener also helps to hold it firmly in position so that it may not slip and cause the shoe to squeak in service. The layer I extends laterally of the shank stiffener and provides a cover therefor which presents a relatively smooth uninterrupted and more or less laterally convexed surface over which the upper material margins may be lasted. This laterally convexed surface also helps in properly shaping the shank portion of the outersole which is later applied thereto.

The securing of the stiffener unit comprising the layer I and the metallic stiffener may be done by any suitable means, as, for example, staples 9, which are passed through the innersole and the layer I outwardly of the margins of the metallic stiffener. The innersole thus reinforced is tacked or otherwise temporarily secured to the last 8, as shown in Figure 1, and the upper materials are then lasted over. The margins of these upper materials about the shank and heel end of the shoe are brought over and secured to the exposed outer face of the layer I which provides a suitable surface for receiving permanent cement by which the upper materials may be permanently fixed. In the case of a narrow shank the layer I permits these upper margins to be drawn well over the margins of the metallic shank stiffener since they are out of contact therewith, being separated therefrom by the layer I. Forwardly of the layer I the margins of the upper materials are secured to the innersole itself in the usual manner, as, for example, by permanent cement.

In Figures 6 and 8 the margins of the upper materials are shown as secured by staples II), which are passed through the upper materials and layer I closely adjacent to the sides of the stiffener 2 and are clinched in the innersole I. The heel marginal portions of the upper materials are shown in Figure 6 as secured to the heel seat portion of the innersole by tacks II.

Where the stiffener tapers in width as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the wider portion being positioned adjacent to the heel seat and the narrower portion extending forwardly into the shank portion of the shoe, the staples or other fastening meansalong the sides of the stiifeners, define with the innersole and the layer I a longitudinally tapered pocket for the stiffener into which the stiffener is securely wedged by the weight of the wearer, so that the stiffener is very securely held in position and is not liable to become displaced in service, even though as in the case of shoes with extremely high heels it is sometimes diificult to provide a secure direct fastening of the stiffener at its forward end. This construc tion is of particular benefit in the case of shoes having high heels and very narrow shank portions, since it reinforces the shank portion, which in shoes of this type is subjected to very severe service conditions. Shoes of this type often have very scanty uppers along the shank portions which further act to impose exceedingly severe stresses on the shank portion of the sole which includes the metallic stiffener as one of its elements. If desired, of course the fastening means as it may be independent of the upper materials, being then employed solely to fix the stiffening unit to the innersole and to form the pocket to receive the stiffener itself, other means such as cement or the like being employed to secure the upper materials to the innersole.

By the use of this invention, therefore, it will be seen that a metallic shank stiffener may be used and may be applied to the innersole itself without, however, permitting the metallic stiffener to interfere with subsequent lasting of the shoe. Its use also eliminates the necessity of trimming the upper materials about the metal stiffener, a troublesome operation heretofore found necessary, and it often makes possible the use of a smaller lasting allowance than heretofore, thus effecting a saving in upper stock. After the lasting has been effected the outersole is secured in position in any suitable manner, the shank portion of the outersole being conformed to the lateral curvature presented by the upper materials and the outwardly disposed convex side of the stiffening unit.

From the foregoing description of embodiments of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A unit for use in the manufacture of shoes, which comprises an innersole, a sheet material piece having substantially the full width contour of said innersole at the shank portion thereof, and a metallic shank stiffener having a longitudinally extending concavo-convex rib secured to said piece with the convex side of said rib adjacent thereto, said stiifener being pressed into said piece to present therewith a. face substantially flat laterally on the stiffener side of said unit and laterally convex on the opposite face thereof, said piece and stiffener being secured to the outer face of said innersole with said laterally fiat face thereagainst.

2. A unit for use in the manufacture of shoes, which comprises an innersole, a sheet material piece having substantially the full width contour of said innersole at the shank portion thereof, and a lengthwise tapered metallic shank stiffener having a longitudinally. extending concavo-oonvex rib secured to said piece with the convex side of said rib adjacent thereto, said rib being deeper adjacent to the wider end of said stiffener than adjacent to its opposite end and said wider and deeper end being positioned toward the heel end thereof, said stiffener being pressed into said piece to present therewith a face substantially fiat laterally on the stiffener side of said unit and laterally convex on the opposite face thereof, said piece and stiffener being secured to the outer face of said innersole with said laterally flat face thereagainst.

3. A unit for use in the manufacture of shoes, which comprises an innersole, a sheet material piece, and a lengthwise tapered metallic shank stiffener having a. longitudinally extending concave-convex rib secured to said piece with the convex side of said rib adjacent thereto, said rib 'being deeper adjacent to the wider end of said stiffener than adjacent to its opposite end and said wider and deeper end being positioned toward the heel end thereof, said stiffener being pressed into said piece to present therewith a face substantially flat laterally on the stifiener side of said unit and laterally convex on the opposite face thereof, said piece and stiffener being secured to the outer face of said innersole with said laterally fiat face thereagainst.

4. A unit for use in the manufacture of shoes, which comprises a sheet material piece, and a metallic shank stiffener symmetrical laterally about a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal stifiening rib and being tapered both in width and depth with its Wider and deeper portion toward the heel end, said piece and stiffener being secured together and molded to the longitudinal contour of the shank and heel portion of the shoe.

5. A metallic shoe shank stiffener symmetrical laterally about a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinally extending stiffening rib, said rib being of a depth tapering longitudinally, and

the width of the stiffener also tapering, the wider portion of the stiffener being positioned adjacent to the deeper portion of the rib.

6. A unit for use in the manufacture of shoes, which comprises a sheet material piece having substantially the full width contour of an innersole at the shank portion thereof, and a metallic shank stiffener having a longitudinally extending concave-convex rib secured to said piece with the convex side of said rib adjacent thereto, said stiffener being pressed into said piece to present therewith a face substantially flat laterally on the stiffener side of said unit and laterally convex on the opposite face thereof, said unit conforming to the contour of the corresponding parts of the shoe innersole to which it is to be applied.

7. A shoe having an innersole, a sheet material piece of substantially the full width of the shank portion of said innersole overlying the same and in contact therewith along its side margins, a shank stiffener tapered lengthwise and positioned between said piece and innersole with its wider-end arranged toward the heel end of the shoe, and means securing said sheet material piece to said innersole arranged along opposite edges of said stiffener and defining with said innersole and piece a tapered socket within which said stiffener is positioned.

8. A shoe having an innersole, a sheet material piece of substantially the full width of the shank portion of said innersole overlying the same, a shank stiffener tapered lengthwise and positioned between said piece and innersole with its wider end arranged toward the heel and of the shoe, upper materials lasted over said piece, and means securing said upper materials and sheet material piece to said innersole arranged along opposite edges of said stifiener and defining with said innersole and piece a tapered socket within which said stiffener is positioned.

OTTO H. L. THELEN. 

